As we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall one of the many things that I am grateful for is late bloomers.

While fall is a beautiful time of year here in the upper Midwest—what with the changing colors and abundant sunshine that we usually get—I have to say that it’s always hard to see summer go. Its abundance of warm air, sunshine, birds, plants, and flowers is hard to beat for the amount of joy that it brings into our lives.

Having to see these things go is one reason why I enjoy the sight of late bloomers this time of year. It is mid October as I write this and I have tomato, morning glory, and cosmos plants that are still blooming in my garden.

The sight of them helps to keep alive a taste of summer even as it comes to a close. It also gives me hope in my personal life as well.

Without divulging my exact age—yes, I am getting a little vain, defensive and probably in a fair amount of denial about it—I have to admit that I am well into what are often referred to as my “sunset” years.

Sometimes this realization makes me sad. But then I remember what my faith teaches me.

The Bible is filled with people who God used to do great things when they were well into their “sunset” years.

The Bible also tells us that for those who believe, our “sunset” years are actually a sunrise because the paradise of heaven awaits us.

It’s a reassurance that helps me to strike a happy balance between holding on and letting go. I can hold on to the sunshine of summer while letting go of my disappointment that it doesn’t last longer.

All while giving thanks for the tomatoes, morning glories, cosmos, and all of the other late bloomers out there!